Detectives are now building their case against three more climate change activists involved in a demonstration at Vermont Gas Systems headquarters May 27.

Two will be charged with trespassing, and a third with assault on a Vermont Gas employee.

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Police say the female employee was pushed and struck with a chain protesters brought with them to secure the front door, leaving bruising on her arm.

"She had no involvement in getting herself hurt," said Det. Ron Bliss, spokesman for South Burlington Police. "It was strictly their actions that led to it. No question."

Keith Brunner, a protest organizer at Rising Tide Vermont, says that version of events is a farce.

"She grabbed the chain... and tried to stop the action from occurring," Brunner told reporters Friday in Monkton. "It's unfortunate (she) put (herself) at risk of injury and we send our regards, but we maintain the accusation are fabricated. They're attempting to criminalize non-violent activists."

Brunner said the protester allegedly responsible for the assault is now consulting a legal advisor, and declined to identify him.

The group also charged the regulatory process that granted Vermont Gas permission to build phase one of the pipeline extension is corrupt.

Next week, the state Public Service Board will hold another public hearing over whether to approve phase two of the project -- from Middlebury under Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga, N.Y.

The hearing begins Thursday at 7 p.m. at Middlebury Union High School.

Meanwhile, the gas company employee is recovering.

"This woman came to work that day simply to do her job," said Steve Wark, Vermont Gas spokesman. "We respect people's rights to express their opinions... but conduct needs to be lawful."